Alkalinity regulator for washing machine tanks



Aug. l14, 1945. T A. MARTIN ALKALINITY REGULATOR FORy WASHING MACHINETANKS Filed Feb. 9, 1942 Patented Au'g. 14, 1945 UNITEDTSTATES PATENToF'FIcE ALKALINITY REGULATOR Fon WASHING MACHINE TANKS Thomas A. Martin,Springfield, Long Island, N. Y. Application February 9, 1942, Serial No.430,140

1 Claim. v (Cl. 68-17) The invention relates to alkalinity regulatorsfor liquids, particularly water,-in tanks of various types of washingapparatus, and has for its object to provide a device of this kindwherein the alkalinity of the water is automaticallyr maintained so thecontents of the tank will have a uniform washing property, and at 'thesame time washing compound will be fed into the water asV -desired toraise its alkalinity to a predetermined degree.

A further object is to provide a motor driven washing compound feedingdevice positioned to discharge into the tank and to control said motorby means of photo-electric cell actuating a circuit maker and breakerfor starting and stopping the motor and feeding operation. Also tocontrol the operation of the photo cell by means of a hydrometerdisposed ln the body of the liquid and downwardly movable when thealkalinity of the water decreases and the hydrometer with means movableacross the ray from the photoelectric cell for stopping the motor whenthe alkalinity or acidity of the liquid has been raised to the desireddegree.

A further object is to means for maintaining the alkalinity of the waterwithin a tank through the medium of a hydrometer controlling a circuitmaker and "breaker, which in turn controls a motor for operating andstopping an alkalinity feeding mechanism.

A further object is to provide magnet means cooperating with thehydrometer at one end of its movement for causing a delayed action ofthe circuit maker and breaker at the starting of the feeding operation,thereby obviating rapid and continuous feeding of the washing powderinto the tank.

With the above and other objects yin view the invention resides in thecombination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown inthe drawing, described and claimed, it being understood that changes inthe precise embodiment of\the invention may be made within the scope ofwhat is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a conventional form of washing machinetank, particularly the dish washing type.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 2--2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one end of atank, showing a modiiied control mechanism.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the hydrometer.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates a tank of the typeused in connection with laundry or dish washing machines, and into whichthe articlesto be washed are placed in any suitable manner. In the typeshown the liquid 2 is maintained at a liquid level 3, however forefficient washing, it has been found necessary to'maintain the liquid ata predetermined alkalinity, and to accomplish this object the washingpowder 4 is fed from a hopper 5 by a feed screw 6. The washing powder isdischarged through an opening 1 in the tank. Disposed adjacent thehopper 5 is a motor 8 having a drive pinion I which meshes with a gearI0 carried by the feed worm B, therefore it will be seen that when themotor is in operation soap powder or other material will be fed to theliquid 2 for raising the alkalinity there of to the desired degree.

One end of the tank I is provided with a bracket II having thereon alight source I2, the ray I3 of which is projected against a mirror Ilcarried by a bracket I5. Ray I3 is then projected as shown at I 6against a photo-electric cell I1 within the bracket and controls a relayI8 which closes the circuit from the source oipower I! over the wires 20to the motor 8 for operating 'the feeding mechanism. It is obvious thatif an object'is passed between the mirror Il and the cell I'I .thecircuit will be again broken through `the medium of the relay I8 and thefeeding mechanism will stop. To accomplish this result a hydrometer 2Iis provided within the water 2, and this hydrometer is provided with anupwardly extending stem 22 whicl'rpasses through guide eyes 23 to aposition above the tank and terminates in a non-reflecting disc' 23which passes across the ray I3, thereby stopping the operation of themachine and feeding mechanism when sulcient washing powder has been fedto the water 2, as the'alkalinity of the water is raised the hydrometeralso rises, and when the desired alkalinity is obtained the disc 23 willcut off the ray I3 and stop the machine. This operation continues,consequently an accurate degree of alkalinity is maintained at all timesduring the washing operation.

The lower end of the hydrometer is provided with a stem 24 guided in aneye 25, and Ithis stem terminates in a metallic member 26 which movesinto the eld of a magnet 21, and held downwardly under the magneticattraction so that there is a delayed upward movement of the hydrometerthereby obviating a rapid successive operation of the 'motor andallowing the alkalinity of the water to be raised with the minimumoperation of the motor. The relay I8 may be provided with a conventionalswitch 28 for manual operation if desired.

The hydrometer is disposed within the casing 2l so it will not be aectedby currents in the water or be easily damaged, and this casing is openat its upper end and also provided with openings I0 at its lower end sothat the water will easily pass over the hydrometer for actuating thesame.

Referring to the modiiled form shown in Figure 3, a photo-cell is notused, and the hydrometer has its rod 22 provided with an angularlydisposed arm I I which, upon its downward movement, engages a springcontact arm 32 which cooperates with a contact 33, thereby closing the`circuit I4 to the motor 8. In this form the end of the tank i isprovided with an extension Il which terminates in a vertical tubularmember IU in which the hydrometer is disposed, and into which the liquidlevel extends.

From the above it will be'seen that means is provided for automaticallymaintaining a predetermined degree of alkalinity in water, and thematerial is automatically fed -into the water through the medium of ahydrometer. Although washing powder 4has been described, it is obvious80 any kind of material may be used and applicant does not limit himselfin this particular.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new and usefulis:

A uni-t for' controlling the specific gravity of solution comprising atank for the solution, a motor controlled dispensing device for feedingsoap particles into the tank and solution, a vertically disposedhydrometer tube to the outside` of the tank and having a passage ofcommuni-k cation with the chamber of Ithe tank at the lower end of thehydrometer tube andthe tank, the upper end of said tube being openwhereby the solution level in the ,tank and hydrometer tube will besubstantially at the same level at all times, a hydrometer in thesolution in the hydromer tube. an upwardly extending rod carried by thehydrometer, the upper end of said rod terminatins above the upper openend of the tube and controlling the motor ot the motor controlled soapdispensing device above the tube, according to the desired density ofthe solution in the tank and means cooperating with the lower end of thehydrometer in the bottom ot the tube within the fluid therein forcausing a delayed action in the upward movement of the hydrometer whenthe liquid le'vel in the tube and tank fall t0 a predetermined point.

THOMAS A. mam.

